Description
Essay - Deviant Behavior
A definition of deviant behavior often depends upon historical circumstance. What was considered deviant a generation or two ago may not be considered deviant at all today. This assignment is an examination of our historical definitions of deviant behavior.
Thoroughly discuss one example of behavior that was considered deviant 50 years ago, but today, is considered conventional or normal. Why is this behavior now considered normal? Using sociological theories and concepts from the course readings, and your own research, explain what changes in society have led to the acceptance of this once deviant behavior.
Next, thoroughly discuss one example of a behavior that was considered acceptable 50 years ago, but today is considered deviant. Why is this behavior now considered deviant? Using sociological theories and concepts from the course readings, and your own research, explain what changes in society have led to the rejection of this once acceptable behavior.
Conclude your paper with a prediction: what is one well-known deviant behavior exhibited today that may be considered acceptable in the future? Explain in detail why you think this behavior will be considered acceptable in the future. What is one well-known acceptable behavior exhibited today that may be considered deviant in the future. Explain in detail why you think this behavior will be considered deviant in the future.
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Running head: DEVIANT BEHAVIOR
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Deviant Behavior
Name
Institution
DEVIANT BEHAVIOR
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According to Sumner (2011), deviant behavior constitutes any behavior that is divergent
to the contextual, cultural, or social norms of society. Three main theories have been adopted to
define the concept of deviant behavior, that is, the Functionalism Theory, Conflict Theory,
Symbolic Interactionism. A functionalism theorist highlights deviance as a social necessity of
reminding people of the effects of acting against the social norms. Conflict theorists point out
that inequality is the root of deviant behaviors. Finally, the theorists of Symbolic Interactionism
argue that deviance is socially constructed from nature or the environment (Wallace & Wolf,
1999).
Deviant behaviors range from consensus crimes, like sexual assault, conflict crimes such
as prostitution, and social deviations, which are legal but harmful, for instance, provocative
dressing code. The collective perception of deviant behaviors, changes with time. Deviant
behavior differs from one generation to the next, and some of these deviant behaviors may
become convectional with time (Wallace & Wolf, 1999).
Fifty years ago, homosexuality was considered deviant behavior in the USA and the UK.
Men who engaged in homosexuality were policed aggressively and were even arrested.
According to Tatchell (1992), 420 men in the UK were convicted of homosexuality as it was
considered as gross indecency, and by 1974 there were over 1700 men with such convictions.
This was a...